Armour specialists from both Russia and the United States are sceptical of recent claims made by the enterprise that produces Russia’s new T-14 Armata MBT that the tank is essentially “invisible” to radar.

The claim was made by the director of the Nizhi-Tagil-based UralVagonZavod (UVZ) plant, Vyacheslav Khalitov, on Ekho Moskvy radio on 3 July.

“We essentially made the invisible tank,” said Khalitov. He also elaborated on the tank’s internal arrangement, stating that key “emitters” that normally make other tanks vulnerable to current-generation anti-armour weapons are fitted as far as possible into the interior of the Armata to reduce its infrared (IR) signature.

About the tank’s own radar signature, Khalitov said the T-14’s hull is coated with special radar-absorbing paint and other materials and appliqués that make it difficult to be detected.

However, US specialists with many years of experience in the design of current-generation armour and Russian experts on former Soviet programmes that were designed to reduce AFV signatures both expressed doubts.

Russia’s new Armata tank is not only the best in the world, it is also invisible to radars, the deputy director of its manufacturer, UralVagonZavod, said in an interview with the Ekho Moskvy radio station late Monday.
“We essentially made the invisible tank,” Vyacheslav Khalitov said, adding that other easily detectable components of the tanks were placed deep within the tank to better mask its infrared signature — heat emissions generated by the tank that are easily seen by special optical equipment.
Russia unveiled the Armata tank to much fanfare in May as part of this year’s blowout Victory Day celebrations, which marked the 70th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. The tank has been paraded as an unrivaled, modern design by its manufacturers and the Russian press.
Already touted as exceptionally deadly, the tank was designed with special stealth technologies, said Khalitov. In particular, the tank’s hull features special radar absorbing paint and materials that make it resistant to rapid detection by radar, he explained.
If the tank is seen, it boasts a heavy “Ural armor” and electromagnetic defenses that confuse incoming guided projectiles — a type of defense known as softkill measures. The tank also sports what is known as a hardkill system — explosive plates layered on the hull of the tank that explode outward to destroy incoming projectiles.
In order to further boost the tank crew’s survivability, Armata features a modular internal layout that separates the crew cabin from the gun and ammunition storage compartment. This in theory would allow the crew to survive a shot that detonates the tank’s ammunition.
Although UralVagonZavod has gone out of its way to promote the features of its new tank — the first designed by Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union — it still has not entered serial production.
The first batch of Armata tanks was handed over to the military for testing this year, and procurement deals will be finalized later, with serial production expected to begin in 2017 or 2018. President Vladimir Putin has promised to buy up to 2,300 of the new tanks for the Russian military.

If the Armata’s stealth technology functions properly remains to be seen. These are just prototypes and have not been proven as we all saw at the Victory Day Parade.

Russian Defense Ministry will provide a view of the state defense order new Russian tank “Armata” and howitzers “Coalition-SV” in a protected and fenced area of the international exhibition of arms Russia Arms Expo RAE-2015.

“Some of the exhibits at the Uralvagonzavod RAE 2015 will include its latest development: 2S35” Coalition-SV “, the T-15 and T-14” Russia Arms Expo 2015 will be held from 9 to 12 September in Nizhny Tagil.

“The Department of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation to ensure the state defense order agreed decisions of the General exhibition organizers to present the exhibits” Uralvagonzavod “in a guarded and fenced area. Among the exhibits at Uralvagonzavod RAE 2015 will include its latest development: 2S35” Coalition-SV “, the T-15 and T -14 “, – said in a statement.

Perspective T-14 “Armata” was first shown to the public at the Victory Parade on Red Square in Moscow on May 9 and was highly appreciated by Russian and foreign specialists. The main difference from the existing analogue machines in that it has an isolated crew. It can shoot 125 mm tank gun capable of burning a meter of steel.

Additionally, will be shown; Russian 152-mm self-propelled howitzer 2S35 Brigadier link “Coalition-SV”, as shown in the Victory Parade, designed to destroy tactical nuclear weapons, artillery and mortar batteries, tanks and other armored vehicles, anti-tank weapons, manpower, air defense and missile defense, control centers, as well as to destroy field fortifications and obstructing the maneuvers of enemy reserves in the depth of his defense.

Promising Russian armored combat tracked vehicle on a universal platform track “Armata” T-15 “Barberry” is intended for conducting maneuvering fighting against any opponent in the composition of the tank and mechanized infantry units as the main multi-purpose combat means in terms of use of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.

In front of a very powerful frontal armor is protected from all sides isolated crew sitting in a row. Gun control will be carried out remotely.

The tank can withstand frontal hit from most modern and advanced types of anti-tank shells and missiles. The representative of “Uralvagonzavod” said that the supply tank to the troops will begin in 2015. The tank will hold up to 40 rounds of various purpose autoloader, and will have machine guns and sights, surpassing existing designs to be able to fire on the move and so on. Some developments, including the “arrangement of monitors,” Tank will acquire promising developments from the T-95 and Black Eagle, while it will be much cheaper than their “ancestors”.

According to some reports, Russians plan to equip the tank diesel engine 1500-2000 hp, 125-mm smoothbore gun with remote inhabited compartment for ammunition. However, most of the tactical and technical characteristics of the tank remain vague. Rollers are borrowed from the T-80, due to lower weight, so less weight per tonne platform.

Specifications

Combat weight, t

55

Crew.

3 persons

Ground clearance, mm

500

The caliber and brand of gun

125mm 2A82-1M

Engine power, hp. with.

1500

The speed on the highway, km / h

75

Technical Reference

2S35 “Coalition-SV” – Russian project of self-propelled artillery installation of class self-propelled howitzers. At the beginning of 2015 made ​​8 units to participate in the anniversary Victory Day parade in 2015 in honor of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

Originally, the ACS will be the development of 2S19 “MSTA-S”. However, in the process of creating a new ACS by setting fire control system, new weapons, robotic complex uninhabitable tower was obtained a new generation of self-propelled guns. The original version was developed in ACS option to increase the rate of fire, as seen at the parade May 9, 2015 as the basic version of the ACS has been shown in more reliable and cheaper single-barreled version.

From the public statements that the new ACS has a range of 2 times greater than that of “MSTA-S” and most severe SAU NATO. Common shells range is 30-40 km, and 70 km – active and reactive. In comparison, the hardest SAU US M109A6 «Paladin” has a range of 22-30 km, depending on types of ammunition, and the previous record for the shooting rockets active-German PzH2000 ACS has the maximum distance of 56 km.

ACS has the ability to work in the “barrage of fire” (eng. Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact , at the same time getting a few rounds) when the number of consecutive shots made ​​with the expectation that the shells came almost simultaneously to the goal that is achieved through a high-speed pneumatic loading system.

For self-defense ACS has a remote-controlled machine gun and bulletproof and Ballistic book. The crew and the computer system of fire control are more bronekapsuly as other BBM platform “Armata”.

Most likely, the tactical unit ACS “coalition” can receive target information from the T-14, as indicated in his comments TRC “Star”: “Due to the AFAR,” Armata “is positioned as … complex military reconnaissance and targeting.” Harmonization of data of all the Armed Forces combat vehicles to the brigade guaranteed standards and technologies “ACS TK” developed concern “Constellation”. The family of combat vehicles “Armata” (ACS, “coalition”, the T-14, T-15, BMP, etc.) necessarily completed a new version of “ASU TK” with the means of communication with the new fifth-generation module UPTK that manages real fight time.

Development

The first model sample of ACS was presented in 2006 on the basis MSTA-S self-propelled guns.

In early 2010, Russian Defense Minister said that the project is not funded by the state, as the established practice of the developers in the early stages of weapons were through self-finance for development. Similarly, “Coalition-SV” in the same way fund development “Carapace-C1.”

In August 2012 the newspaper “Izvestia” published information that the artillery unit “Coalition-SV” is planned to be installed on the platform “Armata” (currently used T-90 chassis

In 2013, two prototypes of ACS were made “Coalition” in 2014 planned production of 10 more units to participate in the parade May 9, 2015 – in honor of the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

2S35-1 “Coalition-SV-SH” – April 4, 2013, OJSC “KAMAZ” published a picture of one of the elaborations appearance wheeled variant having the code “Coalition-SV-CABG.” As a base used truck chassis KAMAZ-6560. The prototype wheel ACS is in the process of manufacture. It was assumed, on 25 September 2013, a prototype version of the wheeled self-propelled guns will be demonstrated at the exhibition Russian Expo Arms in Nizhny Tagil, but that did not happen. In contrast to the first prototypes 2S35, 2S35-1 has one gun caliber 152 mm.

The performance indicators

Classification

Self-propelled howitzer

Combat weight, t

to 48

Crew.

3

History

Manufacturer

Russia

Years of Production

2014

Years of Operation

It planned in 2015

The number of issued, pcs.

12

Reservation

Armor type

rolled steel, bulletproof

Equipment

The caliber and brand of gun

152-mm 2A88

Type Gun

rifled howitzer

Barrel length, caliber

not more than 52

Ammunition gun

50-70

The firing range, km

40-70

Machine guns

1 mm x 12,7-Kord

Technical Reference

T-15 (Index GBTU – Object 149 , “Barberry” ) – Advanced Russian armored combat tracked vehicle on a universal platform track “Armata”. The term state tests – 2016-2017, after their completion will begin mass production. It will be the first in the Armed Forces of heavy Russian BMP (at heavily armored T-14).

Structure

BMP is based on heavy tracked platform “Armata”. It was first demonstrated at the Victory Parade in Moscow in 2015.

Engine and chassis

The engine has a capacity of about 1500 hp (Probably Chelyabinsk A-85-3A) and service of its system, and the mission will be located between the frontal armor protection and habitable capsule. High power will allow to accelerate the heavy car to speeds of over 70 km / h.

Chassis – most likely front-drive wheel. The active suspension allows the car to travel at high speed over rough terrain and to reduce crew fatigue and increase accuracy.

Equipment

Arms heavy infantry fighting vehicles located in a desert fighting compartment “Epoch” circular rotation located above the troop compartment. Photographs seen indicate use of 30-mm 2A42 automatic gun with selective ammunition supply and coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun, and two twin launchers for anti-tank systems “Cornet”. It was reported that ammunition will consist of 500 rounds for the gun, 2000 rounds of ammunition for machine gun and four anti-tank missiles or anti-aircraft missile 9M133 9M133FM-3.

Protection

The front protection will have a combined maximum protection to ensure the protection of the crew, not only from the bullets, shrapnel and small-caliber projectiles, but also from powerful ammunition tank guns and anti-tank missiles. V-shaped bottom will substantially strengthen and reduce the likelihood damage from crew or land mines. Tower crew compartment “Epoch” T-15, as well as Tower of the crew compartment of the tank T-14 on the platform of “Armata” is uninhabited and separated from the capsule with the crew. The defeat of the tower and the undermining of its ammunition not dangerous landing and the crew.

Destination

Intended for maneuver warfare against any opponent as part of the tank and mechanized infantry units as the main multi-purpose combat means in terms of use of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.

Antitank system designed to defeat modern tanks with active protection.

BMP has a strong support for the work in the mode of the air defense system of close combat with an emphasis on the destruction of the UAV and anti-tank helicopters class Apache.

History of weapons – one of the most fascinating chapters in world history. And it’s not just the abundance of dramatic collisions associated with the birth of new for its time weapons systems. History teaches us that often rise and fall of entire civilizations are not associated with other than the emergence of new chariots, bows, swords and armor. The fact remains that we still live in a world where many, if not all, decides to military force as the highest expression of the power of the state. Err in this respect is very dangerous. No wonder the country that considers itself the most free, and have the most advanced armed forces. Especially interesting to watch how the story is going on before our eyes: a speech about the latest Russian tank T-14 “Armata”, made in the workshops of Uralvagonzavod, one of the partners of VTB Bank. Among the contemporaries of the T-14 has no analogues. But what it will take place among the most outstanding military vehicles of the past? Here are the main protagonists of this story.

Mark I. The first in the family

Mark I – the first tank, proven in combat. It happened September 15, 1916 at the Battle of the Somme in France. Of the 49 tanks to the front lines have reached only 35, five more are stuck in a swamp, and nine were broken in the course of the attack. However, 18 of the remaining iron fighters have advanced deep into the German defense for five kilometers, with the loss of the attackers were in 20 times less than the usual occurrence.

Value Mark I was not even in the fact that he first came into the bout. His views and practical possibilities it has made such a strong impression on the military experts of all countries, the future of armored troops who have little doubt. Actually, from this model and gave the name of the new weapon. For the purposes of secrecy British counterintelligence spread the rumor that the Russian Party in Britain has ordered tanks (in English – tank). On the sides of the iron monsters even written in Cyrillic “Caution. Petrograd. “Interestingly, in the Russian novelty was first named in a literal translation – the tub. It remains to be glad that in this case the name did not stick.

Renault FT-17. Classics of the genre

Designers are not immediately able to find the optimal layout for the new weapon. The first British tank Mark I was a diamond that allows to overcome serious obstacles, but forced armament placed in the side sponsons. The first German tank A7V resembled a rail car on the tracks. The Italians made a double-decked ship overland Fiat 2000 with a crew of 10 people. The first Russian project – “Tsar Tank” Lebedenco – generally like a giant gun carriage for the cannon. Only in 1917, the French designers have to guess the appearance of the combat vehicle. Renault FT-17 was the first tank with a cannon in the turret, which rotates 360 degrees, with the office in front, fighting compartment in the center and rear engine. This arrangement has become a classic. FT-17 was so successful that remained in service with many countries before the Second World War. A copy of the tank, founded in 1920 at the Sormovo factory in Nizhny Novgorod under the name “Freedom Fighter Comrade. Lenin “, was the ancestor of the domestic armored forces.

M1928. Gift from America

For a long time one of the major problems of tanks remained low speed over rough terrain. Combat vehicles of the 1920s crawled instead of flying into battle. The situation changed after the American constructor John Christie invented the original scheme independent suspension. It allowed the tank to move even without tracks – on rubberized rollers. Another feature designs Christi – aspiration have frontal armor plates at an angle to the vertical, thereby increasing the probability of ricochet projectiles. All these advantages of the fastest in the world rated by Soviet specialists. Draft Christie tank was purchased by the Soviet Union in 1930, and based on it created a series of BT (fast tanks) – BT-2 BT-5 and BT-7. The last of them in 1939, equipped with a diesel engine aircraft of type B-2, which was subsequently installed on all Soviet medium and heavy Tacna up to T-62. Thus, in the USSR, to combine all the elements that helped to create the legendary T-34.

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